Interesting things about Africa

Zinox Technologies Group, the manufacturer of Nigeria’s first internationally certified branded computers, says it will launch its Z-PAD tablet PC in November this year, as it aims to meet the demands the country’s growing tech-savvy middle-class. According to a statement released by the company, the Z-PAD will help promote high levels of performance that will guarantee a competitive edge for end-users while giving IT departments the ability to integrate with existing IT structures as the tablet is compatible to current Windows applications and Microsoft Office programs. The tablets, which have an upscale fit and finish, designed to ensure longevity, also comes with Wi-Fi and 3G to enhance user connectivity.

Kodjo Afate Gnikou is a 33 years old inventor from Togo, in West Africa. Using mostly e-waste that he found in a scrap yard, he built a functioning 3D printer that he calls W.AFATE ("W" for WoeLab, the first hackerpace in west Africa, and Afate from his name). It's the first 3D printer built from e-waste, and even NASA is impressed: Kodjo Afate Gnikou has been rewarded with the NASA International Space Apps Challenge in Paris.

He says: "My dream is to give young people hope and to show that Africa, too, has its place on the global market when it comes to technology. We are able to create things. Why is Africa always lagging behind when it comes to technology?"

Zambia's Stock Exchange was/is the 3rd best perfoming in Africa in 2013. According to the African Development Bank(AfDB)’s 2013 “African Economic Outlook” report,Zambia‘s growth GDP has grown since 2011, and the country is expected to continue as the International Monetary Fund(IMF) estimates an increase in economic growth from 6 percent this year to 6.5 percent in 2014. The changing business environment and thriving agriculture sectors are presenting opportunities for foreign companies to invest in Zambia.

Who would've thought a dusty street full of ageing matchbox houses would raise 2 strong willed individuals who would one day become a significant part of the world and its history. Vilakazi street in Soweto is the original street former South African President Nelson Mandela and former Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu used to live a few doors from each other. Desmond Tutu and his wife still live there. Mandela's house is now a National Historical site and open to the public as a museum. Vilakazi Street is no longer dusty though. The gravel has been replaced by pavement and brick side-walks and the new neighbours include restaurants, bars and local craft sellers.

The East African Rift zone, which divides the Somalian and Nubian tectonic plates, is the location of several important discoveries of human ancestors by anthropologists. The active spreading rift valley is thought to be the heartland of humanity, where much human evolution likely took place millions of years ago. The discovery of the partial skeleton of "Lucy" in 1974 in Ethiopia sparked major research in the region.